Circuit-controlling mechanism.



E. SCHILDHAUER. CIRCUIT CO NTRQLLING MECHANISM.

APRLICA TION FILED JUNE 8.- I912.

Patent-ed June 15, 1915.

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E. SCHILDHAUER.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION men IUNE 8.1912.

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EINVARD SCHILDHAUEBI, OF CULEBRA, CANAL ZONE.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING- MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 113 15, 1915 Application filed June 8, 191a. Seria1No;702,411.

struction and arrangement for enabling such mechanism to be manipulated with greater efiiciency and safety.

My invention is particularly adaptable to switch mechanisms for controlling high potential circuits where the switch mechanism contacts are apt. to become burned and roughened and where such contacts must, therefore, be frequently smoothed. and cleaned. This is particularly true in connection with oil switch mechanisms controlling high potential circuits, in which s -'itch mechanisms the oil in time'becomes charred and the contacts burned and it becomes necessary to renew the oil and to clean and smooth off. or to replace the contact tips. It often possible that switch contacts, even after opening of the switch, are still in connection with circuits and arecharged to an unsafe potential so that manipulation thereof wouldjbe unsafe and dangerous. A usual practiceheretofore has been to insert ordinary knife blade disconnectinglinks in each of the leads to the switches. These knife blade switches are opened after the main switches have been opened'so that the main switches are isolated to enable safe manipulation thereof for inspection and repair purposes. qThese individual knife bladev switches are satisfactory where theinstallation is isolated and where inspection and repairs are at rare intervals, but in limited space, as, for example, 1n transformer rooms, the necessary large number of kn fe blades assumes very cumbersome dimensions. Furthermore, when such knife blade switches are applied to multiple pole switches, they, expose a large amount of uninsulated metal and for this reason are unsafe and undesirable, particularly in limited space, and where the weather conditions are such as to cause rapidcorrosion of metallic parts.

Among the important objects of my in vention are to provide a safer method forv operating switches connected to dangerous high potential electric wires; to provide a construction and arrangement in which-individual disconnecting switches are eliminated and wherein uninsulated metallic switch parts are avoided; to provide a construction and arrangement in which the.

various switch parts of a vmultiple pole switch mechanism can be simultaneously connected or disconnected and by the use of only a'single lever mechanism; to provide such arrangement of circuit terminals and switch mechanism that the circuit terminals and switch mechanism may be relativelydisplaced to effect entire disconnection of the switch mechanism from circuit; to provide a terminal frame for circuit conductors and a unitary frame for supporting the switch mechanism and to provide means for effecting relative displacement between said frames to disconnect the switch mechanism from circuit; to provide switch mechanism in the form of a unitary structure adapted to be displaced bodily with reference to the circuit conductors so as to effect A complete electrical disengagement of the switch mechanism from the conductors; to provide improved contact'mechanism for electrically connecting the switch mechanism terminals with mainconductor terminals; to provide inmroved manually or by power for effecting relative displacement between the switch mechanism and the main conductor terminals; and in general to provide simple, compact and safe mechanism controllable either? illustrated the nature and scope of my invention. i

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of main i conductor terminal mechanism and switch mechanism together with one form of means for effecting relative displacement between the switchinechanism and main conductors, parts being broken .away to more clearly illustrate the construction; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing particularly the terminal structure for' the main conductors; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of two sets of apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the

switch mechanism panel being omitted on one side, and F g. 4 1s a plan view of the swltch mechanism looking from plane 4;t,

. Fig. 1.

The supporting frame work for the various parts comprises vertical members 10 which may be in the form of pipes, these vertical members receiving supporting blocks 11 adapted to be securely clamped thereto after adjustment thereon. Supported by these blocks on adjacent vertical members are uper and lower cross-bars 12 and 13, which may also be in the form of pipes and from which the main conductor terminals and the. switch mechanisms are supported. A' horizontal frame 14 supports the terminal ends to each set of main conductors 15 and at its front end has a clamping block 16 for receiving a front cross-bar 12 and at its rear end has two clamping blocks 17 and 18 for receiving the come sponding rear cross-bar 12. The frame 14 has a plurality of openings 19 each receiving an lnsulating bushing 20 for supporting a terminal bar 21 carrying at its lower end a V shaped contact jaw or socket 22. The upper end of each terminal bar is connected with one of the main conductors 15 as by means of the adjustable connecting mcchanism 23 shown in Fig. 1. I

' As shown, three circuits, 0, Y) and c are to be controlled, as, for example, the three branches of. a3-phase alternating current "circuit, the terminal jaws of each branch terminating adjacent each other below the frame 14.

Depending from the frame 1% are one or more guard frames 21 of molded compound or other suitable insulating material, having a number of vertical walls or partitions 25 to form a compartment for each of the terminal jaws, these walls extending downwardly sutliciently to prevent short circuit between adjacent jaws and also to protect the attendants against contact with the terminals.

Each switch mechanism S is supported on two vertical slide rods 26 and .27, extending between upper and lower cross-bars 12 and 13. The upper ends of these slide rods terminate in blocks 28 and 29, respectively, for clampingly engaging the upper crossbars 12, these heads being at either side of the front block 16 of the terminal support ing frame 14 associated with the particular switch mechanism The slide rods for each switch mechanism terminate at their lower ends in a block 30 having clamping engagement with the lower cross-bars 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Each switch mechanism S has a supporting cross head 31 having upper and lower bearings 32 and 33 for receiving the slide rods 26 and 27, so that the switch mechanism is 'vertically rcciprocableon said slide rods.-

Secured to the back of the cross head and extending rearwardlv therefrom is a bracket 31 whose horizontal part 31- forms a supporting shelf for the s itch contact; mechanism. This supporting shelf has a nra'ibcr of openings each rcceiving'an insulating bushing 35, the various bushings being in ing slidev rods.

vertical alinement with the corresponding bushings 20 which receive the terminal ends of the conductors 15.

Extending through each bushing 35 is a stud 36 to whose upper end is secured by means of an adjustable coupling 37 a wedge shaped contact head 38 for engaging in the contact jaw 22 of the corresponding main conductor terminal. The lower end of each stud 36 terminates in a V shapedcontaet jaw 39.

For electrically connecting together the adjacent switch mechanism terminal jaws 39 for the various circuits a, b, and a, switch blades 40 are adapted to be simultaneously raised or lowered. As shown, these switch blades are carried at the lower ends of rods (Z extending from a plate 6.

A bracket 1 on the shelf 34: pivots a bell crank lever 9 whose upper end engages with the plate 6, and whose lower end is pivoted to the link 42 which extends from the switch lever 41 pivoted at its lower end at h.

For supporting the switch lever a panel 13 is mounted on studs 44 extending forwardly from the cross head 31. In the position shown, the switch lever is up and the bell crank lever has been rotated to lift the plate to cause engagement of the switch blades 10 with the contact jaws 39. To lock the parts in this position, a latch 2' is pivoted to the panel -13 and engages a pin j on the link 42. To open the switch this latch-is raised and the plate 0 together with the switch blades will drop by gravity to open position and the switch lever 41 will be swung downwardly.

lVhere oil is used for insulation, and are prevention, the oil receptacle 45 may be suspended from the shelf 34. and held in position by one or more thumb bolt mechanisms 46. The receptacle preferably has partitions 47 for isolating the switch terminals and blades of the various circuits in separate oil compartments.

With the above arrangement, thp switch mechanism is in the form of a unitary structure vertically rcciprocable on its support- In the ordinary course of circuit control the switch lever 41 willbc manipulated to simultaneously raise the various switch blades 40 into the switch terminal jaws 39. or to simultaneously release these switch blades. If. however, these con. tacts are to be inspected. cleaned or re paired, the blades 40 should first be lowered to break the various circuit branches and then the cross head 31 is lowered to withdraw the switch stud heads 38 from the terminal jaws of the conducto s and the switch mechanism will then be entirely disconnected from the various circuits and can be safely handled.

I have shown one form of mechanism for controlling the reciprocation of the switch the circuits will be opened and closed by mechanism supporting cross head. On the block.30 whlch receives the lower ends of, the slide rods of each switch mechanism, up-

standing lugs 48 supporta pin 49 for-pivoting at an intermediate point a lever'50. At its inner end thislev er pivots to; the lower end of the link 51 whose-upper end is pivoted to the lug 52 extending downwardly from the cross head 31. The outer end of the lever terminates in a removable handle As clearly shown in Fig. 1, when the outer end of the lever is swung downwardly into substantially vertical position,

the cross head of the switch mechanism will be up and the switch stud contact heads 38 are forced into the terminal jaws or'sockets 22 of the'conductors. When the lever 50 is swung. into. position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the cross head 30 will-be lowered and the switch stud heads 38 disconnected from the conductor terminal jaws and the switch mechanism will be entirely free of any circuit connections and can be readily manipulated without any danger. Suitable means may be provided for locking the switch mechanism in itsupper position and as shown the outer end of the lever 50 has a slot 54 fon receiving a stud .55 extending fiiomblo'ck 30, a wing nut 56 being then applied to the stud-to lock the {lever in its lower position so that the cross, head" will be in its upper positionand the switch stud heads 38 will be held securely in the con.- ductor terminal jaws 2-2. The mechanism will usually be locked in this. position .and

manipulation of the switch levers 41, and it isonly when the oil is to be changed or when the switch parts: 39 and 40 are to be handled, that the switch mechanism as a whole will be bodily displaced and disconnected from the circuit conductors.

I do not desire to be limited to the bodily movement of the switch mechanism away from the circuit conductor terminals, as it is evident that the switch mechanism could be stationary and means provided for raising and lowering the frame supporting the circuit conductqr terminals, the broad inventiom residing, in the relative displacement oi-gseparation of the switch mechanism and the circuitconductor terminal mechanism,

so as to effect electrical disconnection between-the .conductors and the switch mech- .anism contacts.

It is of course important that when the.

- circuits are to be broken under normalcon- Y ditions this "should be efi'ected at the oil switch contacts and not at the contacts.

To prevent opening of the circuits at contacts 21, 22, either by accident or design, means are preferably provided for autoinatically causing actuation of the oil switch mechanism before contacts 21, 22 are opened nism. Inthe casing n mounted on the panel is a solenoid winding 0 and comp and the terminals of this winding are connected by conductors q and, 1- with' the contacts Z and -m, so that when these contacts are connected by the ba: the solenoid will be energized bycurrent from a source 8 and the core p raised; The latch 71 is in the path of this core and will be raised to release the link 42 to allow the oil switch contacts to separate. Breaking of the main circuits under normal conditions will thus always be accomplished at the oil switch contacts before the oil switch structure can. move sufficiently to break the circuit at contacts'21, 22 and these contacts will always be protected.

InFig. 3 I have shown two sets of mechanisms placed side by side and each comprising a conductor terminal supporting frame 14, a switch mechanism unit, and mechanism for vertically adjusting the unit. The two sets ofmechanisms are supportedon common cross bars 12 and'13, and between two adjacent vertical members 10 and constitute one section of an installation. This is de sirable arrangement where duplicate installation is provided, or Where the service is kept continuous through one switch mechanism while the other switch mechanism has been bodily disconnected and is under inspection or repair. In the mechanism at the left of Fig. 3, the switch panel 43 is removed to show the opening 57 throughwhich the lever mechanism 42 extends from switch lever 41 (Fig. 1) to connectwith the mechanism for raising and loweringfthe switch blades 40. I

The frames 14 supporting the circuit conductor terminals are adjustable longitudinally alongthe cross bars 12' an'dK-12' by means of their'heads 16, 17 and 18. Provision is also preferably made to enable adjustment of these frames at right angles with these cross bars and this may be accomplished by elongating in the caps of the supporting heads the holes 58 through which the clamping bolts 59 pass. With this lateral adjustment provision, the frames 14 may be adjusted to assure accurate entrance of the switch stud heads 38 into the conductor terminal jaws 22. The various metallic coupling members'23 and 37 and other parts of the circuit are suitably coveredwith insulating material, and suitable insulation is appliecLso that there will be no bare spots with which other circuitsor the attendants can come into contact during the normal position of the various arts.

Ido not desire to be limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown as the invention could be carried out by and embodied in other, constructions and arrange ments which would also come within the scope of the allowed claims. v

I claim the following:

1. In circuit controlling mechanism, the combination of a circuit terminal structure, a unitary switch structure comprising switch contacts and contact connecting members, actuating means for effecting bodily displacement of one of said structures with reference to the other whereby to connect said contact connecting members with the terminal structure or to disconnect said memhers from said tern'iinal structure, locking,

means for locking said contact connecting members in connecting engagement with said switch contacts, electromagnetic means for controllingsaid locking means, and an electrical circuit for said electromagnetic means controlled by said actuating means.

2. In circuit controlling u'icchanism, the combination of a. circuit terminal structure, a unitary switch structure comprising switch contacts and switch bars, actuating means for ell'ecting bodily displacement of one of said structures with reference to the other to electrically disconnect said structures, locking means tending tohold said switch bars in electrical engagement with the switch contacts, electromagnetic means for control ling said locking means, and contacts for the electrical circuit of the electromagnetic means controlled during primary movement of said actuating means to eilcct operation of the electromagnetic means to unlock the locking means before said switch structure is disconnected from the terminal structure during further operation of the actuating means.

3. ln circuit controlling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame, a terminal structure vertically adjustable on said frame and supporting a plurality of contact Copies of this patent may be obtained for terminals adapted for connection with circuit conductors, a unitary switch structure mounted on and vertically reciprocable on said frame toward and away from said terminal structure and having switch contacts and movable switch members for connecting said contacts, means on said switch structure for controlling said movabl "witch members, and actuating mechanism .or controlling the vertical reciprocation of said switch structure to bring the switch contacts and terminal contacts into electrical engagementor to separate such contacts.

4;. In circuit controlling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame, a tcrminal structure adjustable on said frame and supporting a plurality of contact terminals adapted for connection with circuit conductors, a unitary switch structm'e mounted on said frame and rcciprocable thereon toward and away from said terminal structure-and having switch contacts and movable switch members for connecting said contacts, means on said switch structure for controlling said movable switch members, and. actuating mechanism for controlling the reciprocation of said switch structure to bring the switch contacts and terminal contacts into electrical engage ment or to separate such-contacts.

5. In circuit controlling mechanism, the combination of a circuit terminal structure, a unitary switch structure comprising switch contacts and switch bars, means for ctl'ect' ing bodily displacement of said entire switch structure with reference to the circuit terminal structure to electrically disconnect said structures, and means for automatically ci'l'ectingseparation of the switch contacts and switch bars before such 1 cla -ti re displaceinent.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of June, A, D. 1.912.

' EDlVARD SCIIILDIIAUER. lVitnesses Joren M. Ln'r'z, C. J. Seminar.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

